Mass Effect 3: New Ending Incoming

New content will provide more closure.

Earlier this month, BioWare responded to Mass Effect 3's "polarizing" ending and later confirmed that it was considering making changes. Now, BioWare co-founder Ray Muzyka has confirmed that new content is in the works to provide additional closure.

In a post on the company's official site, Muzyka said that the team has been carefully following the reactions of fans and has made the decision to respond.

"I believe passionately that games are an art form, and that the power of our medium flows from our audience, who are deeply involved in how the story unfolds," Muzyka wrote, "and who have the uncontested right to provide constructive criticism. At the same time, I also believe in and support the artistic choices made by the development team. The team and I have been thinking hard about how to best address the comments on ME3's endings from players, while still maintaining the artistic integrity of the game."

"Since the game launched, the team has been poring over everything they can find about reactions to the game – industry press, forums, Facebook, and Twitter, just to name a few," he added. "The Mass Effect team, like other teams across the BioWare Label within EA, consists of passionate people who work hard for the love of creating experiences that excite and delight our fans. I'm honored to work with them because they have the courage and strength to respond to constructive feedback."

"Building on their research, Exec Producer Casey Hudson and the team are hard at work on a number of game content initiatives that will help answer the questions, providing more clarity for those seeking further closure to their journey," Muzyka continued. "You'll hear more on this in April. We're working hard to maintain the right balance between the artistic integrity of the original story while addressing the fan feedback we've received. This is in addition to our existing plan to continue providing new Mass Effect content and new full games, so rest assured that your journey in the Mass Effect universe can, and will, continue."

He added that "the reaction to the release of Mass Effect 3 has been unprecedented. On one hand, some of our loyal fans are passionately expressing their displeasure about how their game concluded; we care about this feedback, and we're planning to directly address it."

Finally, Muzyka addressed the nature of recent fan responses, commenting that "some of the criticism that has been delivered in the heat of passion by our most ardent fans, even if founded on valid principles, such as seeking more clarity to questions or looking for more closure, for example – has unfortunately become destructive rather than constructive. We listen and will respond to constructive criticism, but much as we will not tolerate individual attacks on our team members, we will not support or respond to destructive commentary."

Muzyka concluded by reminding fans that BioWare is listening, and that fans should "trust that we are doing our damndest, as always, to address your feedback."

It's one of those things you won't really get unless you are truly invested into the series (i.e. books, comics, and more importatl; the previous games).

They're not necessary to enjoy, but the let-down comes from the fact you are promised (and this is REINFORCED and ENCOURAGED by BioWare themselves) that the series and its conclusion will reflect and be a cumulation of your actions and choices throughout the games.

I can see why someone relatively new to the series, or as less passionate might not see what the fuss is about. But if you know any of the canon, or have played the previous games, then it's hard not to think otherwise.

It's good that they're doing this. Though I won't hold my breath till it's out... It's one of those things you won't really get unless you are truly invested into the series (i.e. books, comics, and more importatl; the previous games). They're not necessary to enjoy, but the let-down comes from the fact you are promised (and this is REINFORCED and ENCOURAGED by BioWare themselves) that the series and its conclusion will reflect and be a cumulation of your actions and choices throughout the games. I can see why someone relatively new to the series, or as less passionate might not see what the fuss is about. But if you know any of the canon, or have played the previous games, then it's hard not to think otherwise.

Nice sweeping generalization there. I'm a big fan of the series and I still dont see what the fuss is about. I will however check out the new ending. Being the end of the trilogy I wasn't really expecting my choices to affect the ending the way it did in the last two. But I do understand your point completely.

the let-down comes from the fact you are promised (and this is REINFORCED and ENCOURAGED by BioWare themselves) that the series and its conclusion will reflect and be a cumulation of your actions and choices throughout the games.

Bingo.

Anyway, it would be funny if they charge for the DLC ending content. I don't know if people will want to reward BioWare for $#@!ing up in the first place. They better keep the price low at least.

Anyway, it would be funny if they charge for the DLC ending content. I don't know if people will want to reward BioWare for $#@!ing up in the first place. They better keep the price low at least.

tbh, they f'd it up that bad that I'm even willing to pay for it.

I see many fans that way too. (sorry rad, except you maybe )

Originally Posted by radgamer420

Nice sweeping generalization there. I'm a big fan of the series and I still dont see what the fuss is about. I will however check out the new ending. Being the end of the trilogy I wasn't really expecting my choices to affect the ending the way it did in the last two. But I do understand your point completely.

Hey, it is what it is.

Of course I didn't mean everyone, but the excpetion(you and 3 other people maybe ) simply proves the rule.

And please try not to add any 'snarkiness' with that "nice generalisation" $#@!e. It really takes away from the discussion. Could've used without it really... No one's insulting anyone, so need for the upptiyness!

tbh, they f'd it up that bad that I'm even willing to pay for it. I see many fans that way too. (sorry rad, except you maybe ) Hey, it is what it is. Of course I didn't mean everyone, but the excpetion(you and 3 other people maybe ) simply proves the rule. And please try not to add any 'snarkiness' with that "nice generalisation" $#@!e. It really takes away from the discussion. Could've used without it really... No one's insulting anyone, so need for the upptiyness! Basically, just take it easy mate.

Sounds like youre the one that needs to chill. Just because people disagree with you doesn't mean that theyre not dedicated to the series. Talk about the "uppityness." Irony at its finest. Basically, practice what you preach mate.

Sounds like youre the one that needs to chill. Just because people disagree with you doesn't mean that theyre not dedicated to the series. Talk about the "uppityness." Irony at its finest. Basically, practice what you preach mate.

Jesus where did that come from?

Sorry, I understand that it's text and a lot is lost in translation.

Nevermind, if you want an argument, you can do it solo. I wasn't accusing anyone of anything, so all that is one sided.

I'm not one for internet arguments anymore, so I'm willing to let it stand as a misunderstanding/miscommunication. If however you don't get it, then I want no part of whatever argument is in your head.

I mean that with no sarcasm/strings attached at all. I just don't undertand where the hostility is coming from.

Jesus where did that come from? Sorry, I understand that it's text and a lot is lost in translation. Nevermind, if you want an argument, you can do it solo. I wasn't accusing anyone of anything, so all that is one sided. I'm not one for internet arguments anymore, so I'm willing to let it stand as a misunderstanding/miscommunication. If however you don't get it, then I want no part of whatever argument is in your head. I mean that with no sarcasm/strings attached at all. I just don't undertand where the hostility is coming from. Seriously.

Obviously there is some miscommunication since your other reply sounded a bit hostile to me as well except it was a little more passive/aggressive. Anyway I dont like internet arguments either so letting it stand sounds like a good idea to me.

Obviously there is some miscommunication since your other reply sounded a bit hostile to me as well except it was a little more passive/aggressive. Anyway I dont like internet arguments either so letting it stand sounds like a good idea to me.

I can understand that.

I tend to rib a lot in ril, but I can see how that doesn't translate so well via text.

On topic: I can respect that you are a massive fan of the series, and still find no problem with the endings.

I find myself towards the middle, I'd be joyous if they changed it, but will be happy the way it is, provided that they at least explain some things.

Don't know how they would do this though. I just have a problem with exactly the way it is.

I can understand that. I tend to rib a lot in ril, but I can see how that doesn't translate so well via text. On topic: I can respect that you are a massive fan of the series, and still find no problem with the endings. I find myself towards the middle, I'd be joyous if they changed it, but will be happy the way it is, provided that they at least explain some things. Don't know how they would do this though. I just have a problem with exactly the way it is. Your thoughts?

I'm actually pretty neutral about the ending. But I fully understand your reason for not liking the ending. When I say neutral I mean that it could have been better but I'm not really bothered about it. Mostly because this was the ending of Shephards story anyway.

The bigger issue really is "is content being cut from the original game for DLC?"

DLC which is very pricey (upon already having paid £35-£40 on a game) and can only be bought from the PSN/XBL store. In which this content never decreases in price.

I made the mistake of buying Dragon Age: Origins before the "ultimate pack" came out, and found out I would have to pay upwards of £30 to get "extra" content for the game, in which seemed to be already included in the game, ie going to start a quest and it saying "buy x dlc to start quest."

I am still waiting for the price of DLC on the PSN Store to cut, which I know will never happen :/

I'm actually pretty neutral about the ending. But I fully understand your reason for not liking the ending. When I say neutral I mean that it could have been better but I'm not really bothered about it. Mostly because this was the ending of Shephards story anyway.

Yeah, I'm clsoer to neutral; but would welcome a change.

TBH, I'd be happy with an FAQ by Bioware re: ending.

Originally Posted by Scrubs42

The bigger issue really is "is content being cut from the original game for DLC?"

You liked that no matter what you did throughout the entire series, it ends virtually the exact same way for everyone? You liked that the ending made no sense? (i.e. Synthetic life harvested organic life to make synthetic life that killed organic life to keep synthetic life from destroying organic life). And then of course the ending is both brief and depressing, which from a gameplay perspective lets players know that subsequent playthroughs will not be rewarding no matter what you do.

Let me reiterate though that I loved the game overall. But the ending makes me less interested in playing it again.

You liked that no matter what you did throughout the entire series, it ends virtually the exact same way for everyone? You liked that the ending made no sense? (i.e. Synthetic life harvested organic life to make synthetic life that killed organic life to keep synthetic life from destroying organic life). And then of course the ending is both brief and depressing, which from a gameplay perspective lets players know that subsequent playthroughs will not be rewarding no matter what you do.

Let me reiterate though that I loved the game overall. But the ending makes me less interested in playing it again.

Yeah. I think they went towards over-complicating it, and went matrix-like.

Put it this way, let's say they had the same ending - that sequence should've been longer with more conversation trees, seeing as it is the CLIMAX to Shepard's story.

Such as allowing the player to ask questions, to challenge (a renegade or paragon Shepard would not have just complied so easily with those explanations); there would certainly have been more questions.

You liked that no matter what you did throughout the entire series, it ends virtually the exact same way for everyone? You liked that the ending made no sense? (i.e. Synthetic life harvested organic life to make synthetic life that killed organic life to keep synthetic life from destroying organic life). And then of course the ending is both brief and depressing, which from a gameplay perspective lets players know that subsequent playthroughs will not be rewarding no matter what you do.

Let me reiterate though that I loved the game overall. But the ending makes me less interested in playing it again.

I can understand that. Theres no epic moral decision to make at the end or during the game that will change the end.

I don't like this. Gamers shouldn't be pampered and their every wish catered to.

*Complains about new content*

This was eventually going to happen, that or a mob of rabid fans raging in the streets. Personally I'm glad they're doing this. The ending lacked closure, variety, and any real choice. It had plenty of plotholes though...

The problem is that none of your choices really mean $#@!. As long as you have a decent readiness and earth doesn't explode, every ending is basically the same.

After reading a few more pieces from different sites regarding Dr. Ray Muzyka's post; I'm getting differing takes on it. For example, some are saying it's a complete change; some are saynig they're just tacking on something to explain the current ending (read: no change but content for explanation of the ending).

Depends on where you read it I suppose.

Change or no change; at least I'm glad they're going to address or explain the ending.